Motorized Boots To Go Into Production In Russia

Ananova ^ | 3-17-2003

[blam]

Motorised boots to go into production in Russia

Walking boots fitted with tiny combustion engines are set for production in Russia.

Inventor Viktor Gordejev, from Ufa in the Ural Mountains, says the boots cut the energy of walking by about 70%.

As soon as the wearer steps forward with one foot, the engines propel the other one forward.

Mr Gordejev says inspiration came 30 years ago when he was serving in the Soviet army.

He explained: "I always wished my boots had engines as we had to walk miles every day. That's how I came up with the idea."

The boots will retail for about £600 a pair when they go on sale in Russia later this year.

Boris Rudoi, head of the Space Travel Institute in Ufa which helped Gordejev realise his dream, says there has been considerable interest in pre-orders and talks are already underway with partners to market the boots internationally.

He added the boots had to be closely guarded from Japanese and American industrial spies during their development. Hee, hee

Story filed: 12:24 Monday 17th March 2003

[blam]

Top secret boots!

[SamAdams76]

These boots might prove to be a superior alternative to the Segway.

[Octar]

I wonder how well they enhance the quality of asskicking.

[debg]

these boots were made for walking
and that's just what they'll do
one of these days
these boots will walk over you

[LieFreeGov]

I sure hope we can all buy a pair use them to kick Chirac in butt!

[Cultural Jihad]

These boots might prove to be a superior alternative to the Segway.

Watch Berkeley and San Francisco ban them from the sidewalks, too.

[Poohbah]

These boots are made for walking...or are they?

[FreedomFarmer]

I hope they don't blow up like Russian TV's do.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[NewRomeTacitus]

If they work like those little wind-up tennis shoes those guys could come back as a superpower by crippling us with laughter.

[TADSLOS]

I wonder if they come with a toe to heel warranty?

[gcruse]

There was a video of Russian power-assisted boots a couple of years ago. If this is the same stuff, be sure to wear a crash helmet, kneepads, gloves, and so much safety equipment that the damned things are weighed down to the ground.